When 100 of the nation’s top high school musicians gathered in San Antonio in early January 2009 to perform as the All-American Marching Band, they did so under the leadership of the directors of Western Carolina University’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band.
For the second year in a row, Bob Buckner, director of athletic bands at WCU, was selected to coordinate the halftime show for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl football game. Buckner and assistants Matt Henley and Jon Henson flew to Texas in late December to work with the band members.
Their responsibilities included selecting the band members, teaching and rehearsing them for the halftime performance, and creating and producing the halftime show. The band was composed of 96 wind players and percussionists, along with 22 color guard members.
“Producing a halftime show that is suitable for television, that meets the high standards of the U.S. Army, and that is just challenging enough for the students who are participating is quite an undertaking,” Buckner said. “Things of this nature always add work for our staff, but the reward is in having the opportunity to work for a week with young musicians of this caliber. Matt, Jon and I view this as a tremendous honor and responsibility.”
Band members are selected through a written, musical and visual application process that is managed by MENC: The National Association for Music Education, the nation’s primary advocate for music education. New for 2009 was the addition of a “front ensemble,” or a mallet and orchestral style percussion section. Color guard members were chosen for their performance abilities from competitive drum and bugle corps from throughout the United States.
“Bob Buckner’s experience and knowledge were invaluable in making the first year of this national recognition for high school seniors such a huge success,” said Lynn Brinckmeyer, president of MENC. “We are thrilled that Bob can once again act as director.”
The All-American Bowl was founded in 2002 by Sportslink Inc., and is now recognized as a top destination for outstanding high school athletes and musicians from around the United States. Some of the athletes who have played in the game include Vince Young, Chris Leak, Brady Quinn and Reggie Bush. NBC once again will be broadcasting the game from the Alamodome. Last year’s game attracted more than 35,000 fans.
“It is impressive to see the effort that the U.S. Army puts into this project. These students get to meet not only a great group of teachers, but also some real American heroes,” Buckner said. “The members of the U.S. Army Field Band provide clinics and support for the entire event, and it is a great opportunity for these students to be around real professional musicians.”